A warmed over story on this cold day.

Finally, First quality ride (Long story, not ride).

I'm not a real high mileage rider. I like to ride on, for lack of a better term, " a quality ride".

Yesterday, everything was right. I left home on the Valk, it was a clear but cool morning. After a
fast ride north on 169 to the Ashley Indiana exit. I turned left on Indiana 4 through the town
of Ashley, home of the "Smiling Face Water Tower", and kept riding west at an easy 55mph practically idling pace to Indiana 327.
Turning north on 327 I rode at leisure through the town of Helmer (blink your eyes and you missed it sorta town) and kept on 327, noting as I passed, the big oak tree that Vic and I had stopped at many years before on our Matchlesses.

In northern Indiana 327's only claim to fame is that it's a roller coaster ride but almost straight as an arrow, just about as exciting as it gets here in the flatlands of northern Indiana. I would’ve liked to ease the Valk into the higher digits on the speedometer so I could experience the ‘breath catching in your throat’ syndrome commonly known as Whoop De Do but there are too many intersections on this blind spotted road.
I cross Indiana 20 and continue north on 327 once again at an easy 55 to 60 mph, my Valk
"Emanuel" grumbling in total boredom. However, I'm the boss so she does what she's told.
I turn left at the four way stop in Orland, another small town and keep going on my new
route, 120, and turn onto the back road to Wall Lake, my stomping grounds back in the early
'90's when I owned property on this lake. Wall lake is small but a restfull sort of lake, too
small for fast skiers but just right for fishing. A leisurely ride around the lake (Emanuel is
really chomping at the bit now) but I don't care, I'm still in charge and it's turning out to be a
grand day, warming up although the smells of the Indiana countryside are absent yet, the
grasses are just starting to turn green but no leaves on the trees yet. The lake, in the absense of a breeze, is like a giant mirror with the cottages hanging upside down at the edge.

I head back to Orland and go east on 120 and loosen the reins on the Valk just a little
bit. It's not a good idea to run this fairly busy two lane all out but I run the Valk up to 75 or
so here and there until I get to the Freemont Mall where I stop to do some shopping (bought
some peppercorns for grinding.), then on to Pokagon Park, one of the nicest parks in northern
Indiana. I rode in at a sedate 20mph pace and stopped at my favorite picnic area, Apple Glen,
where I had a very nice, simple lunch. listening to Emanuel's clicking
and snapping as she cooled down.

I sit at the picnic table and all I hear is the wind sighing through the trees. I start to nod off as the peace and tranquility loosen up the few knots that I still have left after the satisfying run on the Valkyrie., I am looking forward to taking a little time to work off the lunch by walking on trail 6, a wandering, well. maintained path through the highland and swamp of this park. It's very quiet here, the quiet is only broken by the sounds of blue jays and robins and the occasional chatter of squirrels. The trillium wildflowers aren’t out yet so carrying my camera wasn't necessary but that's ok!

I stop at a convenient bench next to Lake Lonidaw, a small pot hole lake left by The Great Glacier somewhat before my time. It's very relaxing to watch the Canadian geese, ducks, and the solitary white swan swimming. I have to keep from falling asleep as I could fall in the lake which is not in my plans at this time. However, after what seems like a very short siesta, it's time to go.

I walk back to Emanuel wake her up and reluctantly ride out of the park and back on to 169
and head south to home. Riding 69 and dodging all the trucks at speeds up to 105mph (the
Valk grabbed the bit in her teeth) is a change from my day but is part of the experience.

I only rode a total of 150 miles and walked about two but it was the end of my first quality ride of the season.

Wayne

Post Script: I fully intend on repeating this ride more than once this year on the Vstrom. However, the smooth six sound of the Valk will be missed as it’s replaced by the more throbbing raw sound of the Ltwin.